Which medieval Indian Muslim poet, historian and musician, famous at the Delhi Sultanate court, affectionately described himself as the "parrot of India"?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Amir Khusrau

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the cultural history of medieval India, particularly the composite Indo Persian tradition that flourished at the courts of the Delhi Sultans. One of the most celebrated figures of this era was a poet, historian and musician who styled himself the "Tuti e Hind" or "parrot of India". Recognising this title helps students link literary nicknames to the personalities and works that shaped medieval Indian culture.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The personality was a medieval Indian Muslim poet, historian and musician.
  • He served at the Delhi Sultanate court.
  • He called himself the "parrot of India".
  • Several well known literary and musical figures are given as options.


Concept / Approach:
The approach is to match the description with known historical personalities. Amir Khusrau is widely known as a multi talented genius: a Sufi poet, Persian and Hindavi writer, historian, courtier and musician. He is traditionally credited with contributions to Indian classical music and is remembered as "Tuti e Hind" or the "parrot of India" because of his eloquent and colourful poetry. Mulla Daud and Malik Muhammad Jayasi were important poets but not usually described with this title, and Tansen was a later musician at Akbar's Mughal court, not a medieval historian poet of the Delhi Sultanate in the same sense.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the combination of roles: poet, historian and musician, associated with a medieval Indian Muslim court. Step 2: Recall that Amir Khusrau served several Delhi Sultans, including Alauddin Khalji, and wrote in Persian and early Hindavi. Step 3: Remember that he has the famous epithet "Tuti e Hind", translated as "parrot of India". Step 4: Compare this profile with the options: Mulla Daud and Malik Muhammad Jayasi were poets but not especially known as musicians and historians combined. Step 5: Identify Amir Khusrau as the only option that fully matches the description.


Verification / Alternative check:
Biographical notes on Amir Khusrau consistently mention his role as a disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, his prolific writing in Persian and Hindavi, and his reputation as the "parrot of India". He is also linked with innovations in music and with chronicling events at the Delhi Sultanate court. Tansen, though extremely famous as a musician, lived later in the Mughal period and is not given the title "parrot of India". This clear distinction verifies the answer.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mulla Daud: A medieval poet known mainly for his romance "Chandayan", but not widely called the parrot of India or equally noted as a musician and historian.
Malik Muhammad Jayasi: A Sufi poet famous for "Padmavat", but he is not typically described as a court musician historian with the epithet "parrot of India".
Tansen: A legendary musician of Akbar's court in the Mughal era, renowned for his ragas, but not a medieval Delhi Sultanate poet historian with this nickname.


Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to choose Tansen whenever music is mentioned, ignoring other clues in the stem such as the Delhi Sultanate context and the self description as "parrot of India". Another error is to confuse different Sufi poets and assume that any medieval writer of romances must be the one with this title. Carefully reading all descriptive elements in the question prevents these mix ups.


Final Answer:
The medieval Indian Muslim poet, historian and musician who called himself the "parrot of India" was Amir Khusrau.

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion